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Less specific information is available on the collars boys wore with their eclesiastical robes. These robes are similar to those worn by clerics. The added collars destinguish the choristers. Most of the CoE and Catholic choirs use destinctive collars. The different choirs wear a variety of different collars with their robes, ranging from 19th century Eton collars to 16th century ruffs, a predecessor of the ruffled collar. Some choirs have collars that I do not know how to describe. Examples here are:
Chichester and Guilford Cathedral. I'm not sure how to describe the Chichester collar. Guilford has some kind of scarf. Some choirs sing with no additional collar (only cassock and surplice). I am not entirely sure why these two collars are used. Certainly the Eton collar was a popular style for boys during the Victorian era when many English choirs were revived. I'm less sure about the ruff. Perhaps it was seen as appropriate for chuch services because of its historic look. Several choirs wear these ruffs, but there are considerable differences among the various ruffs worn. Most choirs have cloth ruffs while some use inexpensive paper ruffs. There are also differences among the cloth ruffs. There is no definitive rule and individual chooirs decide for themselves. The ruffled collars seem the most popular in Church of England choirs. Several of the Catholic choirs have chosen Eton collars.
Less specific information is available on the collars boys wore with their eclesiastical robes. These robes are similar to those worn by clerics. The added collars destinguish the choristers. Most of the CoE and Catholic choirs use destinctive collars.
The different choirs wear a variety of different collars with their robes, ranging from 19th century Eton collars to 16th century ruffs, a predecessor of the ruffled collar. Some choirs have collars that I do not know how to describe.
There is no definitive rule about what collar a choir should use. Individual choirs decide for themselves. The ruffled collars seem the most popular in Church of England choirs. Several of the Catholic choirs have chosen Eton collars.
Several choirs wear the Eton collar. I am not entirely sure why these Eton collar is worn. Certainly the Eton collar was a popular style for boys during the Victorian era when many English choirs were revived. The Eton collar was widely worn at the time, but Cathedral choirs are now virtually the only plasce where the Eton collar is worn today. A choir that wears the Eton collar is Westminster Cathedral.
Quite a few choirs wear ruffs. Sone of the choirs where the boys wear ruffs include: Lincoln, Lichfield, Rochester, Salisbury, St. Paul's, and St. Wolo. I'm less sure why the ruff is worn by choristers. The ruff were widely worn in the 16th century. It may have been the inspiration for the ruffled collar. Perhaps the ruff was seen as appropriate for church services because of its historic look. It may have been worn as part of eclesiastical dress. Several choirs wear these ruffs, but there are considerable differences among the various ruffs worn. Most choirs have cloth ruffs while some use inexpensive paper ruffs. There are also differences among the cloth ruffs. We note Norwish has ruffs and that older choristers add streamers.
At least one choir wears a kind of Pilgrim collar. An example is the
Chichester Cathedral Choir. I am not sure how to describe it, but a HBC reader suggests that it is a Pilgrim collar. It is not unique in English church choirs. Both Leeds parish church choir and that at St Peters in Bournemouth wear this style of collar. These two choirs are considered to be excellent, especially the Leeds choir, which is virtually a cathedral choir in all but name.
Some choirs have collars that I do not know how to describe. The
Guildford Cathedral Choir wears a kind of
white scarve instead of a collar.
Some choirs sing with no additional collar (only cassock and surplice). An example is Worchester Cathedral.
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